Voting begins today in Ottawa’s municipal election. Here’s what you need to know

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Walk My Ward: 1 – Orléans East-Cumberland

Walk My Ward: 2 – Orléans West-Innes

Walk My Ward: 3 – Barrhaven West

Walk My Ward: 4 – Kanata North

Walk My Ward: 5 – West Carleton-March

Walk My Ward: 6 – Stittsville

Voters have their first chance to cast a ballot this week in the 2026 City of Ottawa municipal election.

The city is hosting four days of Special Advance Voting Days for residents to vote for mayor, councillor and school board trustee.

• OTTAWA ELECTION: Full coverage from the campaign trail
• WALK MY WARD: Issues that matter most to voters
• MEET THE CANDIDATES: Fourteen people are on the ballot for mayor of Ottawa

Ten voting places will be open across the City of Ottawa between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As part of the “anywhere voting” plan, eligible voters can cast a ballot at any of the 10 locations over the next four days.

What you need to know to vote in the four Special Advance Voting Days this week

If you don’t vote over the next four days, you can vote on the Advance Voting Day on Friday, Oct. 16 and on Voting Day on Monday, Oct. 26.

When

Residents can vote on the Special Advance Voting Days on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Polling stations will be open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Where to vote

The City of Ottawa will operate 10 voting places during the four days of Special Advance Voting Days. The “anywhere voting” allows residents to vote at any of the 10 locations across the city.

You can cast a ballot at one of the following places:

• CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn, 1500 Shea Road
• Churchill Seniors Recreation Centre, 345 Richmond Road
• City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
• François Dupuis Recreation Centre, 2263 Portobello Boulevard
• Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Drive
• Diane Deans Greenboro Community Centre, 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive
• Minto Recreation Complex – Barrhaven, 3500 Cambrian Road
• Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
• Richcraft Recreation Complex – Kanata, 4101 Innovation Drive
• St-Laurent Complex, 525 Côté Street

The City of Ottawa says resident can cast a ballot at any of the 10 voting locations until Sunday.

What do I need to vote?

Voters will be required to present a piece of identification to receive a ballot at the voting location.

The city says the identification must show your name and qualifying Ottawa address. The city says you may present one of the following as a piece of personal information:

• An Ontario driver’s license.
• An Ontario Health Card (photo card).
• An Ontario Photo Card.
• An Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion).
• A cancelled personalized cheque.
• A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario.
• An insurance policy or insurance statement.
• A loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution.
• A document issued or certified by a court in Ontario.
• Any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government.
• Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada).
• An income tax assessment notice.
• A Child Tax Benefit Statement.
• A Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E.
• A Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS).
• A Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P).
• A Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions.
• A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works.
• A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program.
• A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007.
• A property tax assessment.
• A credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement.
• A CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that provides services to persons with disabilities.
• A hospital card or record.
• A document showing campus residence, issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution.
• A document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home.
• A utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission.
• A cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer.
• A transcript or report card from a post-secondary school.

The city says photo identification is not required to vote in the municipal election.

Who cannot vote

The City of Ottawa says the following cannot vote in the municipal election.

• A person serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution.
• A corporation.
• A person acting as executor or trustee or in another representative capacity, except as a voting proxy.
• A person convicted of a corrupt practice described in section 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Other voting days

Residents who do not cast a ballot during the four Special Advance Voting Days will have two more chances to vote.

The City of Ottawa will host an Advance Voting Day on Friday, Oct. 16. You can also vote on election day – Monday, Oct. 26.

Polling stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the Advance Voting Day and on election day.

The city says on the Advance Voting Day and on election day, you must vote at the assigned voting place within the ward. Electors can find their assigned voting places by using the “Where do I vote?” tool on ottawa.ca/vote.

• OTTAWA ELECTION: Full coverage from the campaign trail